Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (2024)

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Clay pot cooking might not be the primary method of cooking in our civilizationanymore,but it used to be so until a few hundred years ago. This primary method of cooking changed only recently, when people started mining metals in excess and found a way to repurpose them into cookware.

Making cookware was a good way to reuse these metals, right? Unfortunately, no, because when this happened, we lost touch withthe numerous health benefits that comes from cooking in an “all-natural” and “pure” material offered.

Clay Pot Cooking is a Fascinating Method of Preparing Your Food, Here’s Why:

Clay pot cooking is an art and science in and of itself! The gentle heat that the pot radiates is quite different from the harsh damaging heat from a metal surface when heated. However, this heat is in no way “weak” because it is gentle; in fact, it is more powerful because it is far-infrared heat that can thoroughly penetrate deep into the food to cook it from the inside out without damaging nutrients.

Cooking is a biochemical process that converts raw food into a different state of edibility and digestibility. This makes it nutrient-rich, flavorful, and aromatic. To maintain the integrity of nutrients, this process needs to be carried out in an inert medium – a non-reactive cooking pot.

Using reactive pots made from metals (aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel) and ceramics (combination of different inorganic substances and some natural clay) pose the danger of toxins leaching into food while cooking – with heat acting as a catalyst. These toxins react and leach into food. The havoc caused by the accumulation of these metals and chemicals in the body is an unending list of illnesses, as shown in these scientific references:

Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals

Heavy metals and living systems: An overview

Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Teflon, and Related Chemicals

Natural clay in its purest form is inert, or non-reactive. It behaves in the exact opposite way compared to the materials mentioned above — it does not react or leach into food.

But for all these features to be true, you need to choose natural clay cookware that is made from uncontaminated clay. Another important consideration is this cookware has to be made without the use of additives during the entire manufacturing process.

Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (1)

In this day and age where people’s lives are so intricately merged into the world of chemicals, its hard for manufactures to avoid using chemical additives that can make pots “dry faster”, “process raw materials easier”, “use less water”, etc.

That is, until now…

A cookware company emerged- not with the intention of making something faster, easier, or with less effort- but with the singular goal of making something healthier for people and planet. With that as their core goal, there were no chemicals/additives attractive enough to stand in the way of achieving the healthiest cookware.

How Miriam’s Earthen Cookware (MEC) Makes the Finest Clay Pots for Cooking

In a market dominated by toxic pots and pans that can contaminate your food and the environment, MEC is like a breath of fresh air. The main difference is MEC carefully handcrafts each piece, making sure it does not come in contact with toxins at any stage of the manufacturing process. The result is a cooking pot full of healthy features with convenient use.

Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (2)

100% Non-Toxic Clay Pots:

MEC is made from pure and primary all-natural clay without using any glazes, chemicals, or additives. The raw material is tested in a reputable state lab to ensure there are no contaminants.

Nutrients Cooked Inside, Stay Inside:

The ergonomically designed pot and lid, combined with unique and natural methods of finishing, radiate far-infrared heat and condense steam naturally. This gentle heat, as previously mentioned, preserves even the most delicate nutrients that are easily damaged when cooking in conventional cookware. As a result, food cooked in clay retains delicate complex carbs, along with phytonutrients and flavonoids (which are evident in the form of the natural color), flavor, and the aroma of your carefully chosen healthy ingredients.

Steam is Condensed Inside:

MEC’s healthy pots offer excellent steam management. The steam present inside the pot during cooking is essential water-soluble nutrients. 9 out of 13 vitamins and minerals are water-soluble. It condenses on the inside of the lid that stays cooler than rest of the pot and keeps falling back into food, fortifying it with the essential water-soluble nutrients your body needs on a daily basis.

On the other hand, conventional cookware radiates harsh near-infrared heat. This type of heat damages nutrients and leaves your food mushy, soggy, and tasting bland. No wonder so many seasonings & flavorings are needed to make food more flavorful! Also, the water soluble nutrients present as steam are lost too, because there are limited ways of managing steam in conventional cooking pots.

Cooking is Fast & Convenient:

The unique way in which Miriam’s Earthen Cookware is designed & made lets you quickly and conveniently cook in your pots compared to traditional clay cookware. You can incrementally put all ingredients into the pot, cover the lid, and let food cook on low heat until it’s done. This is pretty much how most foods cook in an MEC clay pot! This process saves both time and energy. For more information on the ease of cooking in Miriam’s Earthen Cookware visit: Cooking in This Clay Cookware is Easier, Faster & Better | A Collection of Tips and Hacks from the Pros [Coming Soon]

You can forget about the general hassles of cooking in conventional metal or ceramic pots: the burning, scorching, uneven cooking, overheating, and so on!

MEC Pots are Naturally Non-Stick – Without Toxic Coatings:

Conventional non-stick cookware uses Teflon or ceramic coating to make it non-stick. Studies have shown both these materials are toxic and contribute to serious health problems. Thanks to the ergonomic design and the unique finish of MEC’s unglazed clay pot, they come with non-stick properties and become fully non-stick once they are seasoned. And unlike conventional non-stick vessels whose non-stick properties wear off with use, these pots and pans only become more non-stick over time, as expressed in this review:

Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (3)

There is no need to use oil to lubricate the surface of your cooking pot or pan. You can replace oil with water and add oil on top when your food is done cooking. This makes your dish healthier because heating oil from the beginning may cause it to break down into unhealthy trans-fats.

This naturally non-stick pot/pan is so easy to clean: just use water and baking soda with a mild scrubber, with no need for toxic soaps and detergents whatsoever! Details on clay cooking and care can be found here:

These Healthy Clay Cooking Pots are Flexible – Can be Used on Any Heat Source:

The ergonomic design of these clay pots makes it possible to use them on all kinds of heat sources from gas stoves to electric cooktops – and also inside the oven. Unlike conventional cookware, you do not need different pots for different heat sources like induction cooktop and ovens.

Multi-Cooking Pots – Use One Pot for Different Types of Cooking:

Thanks to the all-natural raw material and carefully crafted design that puts all the features of pure clay to use, a single MEC clay pot can cook a variety of recipes. You use it to cook your soups & stews, rice & grains, pressure cooking, slow cooking, baking bread, stir-frying, making yogurt, teas and decoctions, as a Dutch oven, and so on. No single conventional pot can be used for all kinds of cooking. You might have to spend a fortune on different cookware sets if you intend to try all kinds of recipes. With MEC, you can do it all in just one pot!

Great Heat Retainers – MEC Pots can Keep Food Warm for 4x Longer:

Conventional pots heat up and cool down pretty quickly, so food gets cold and you have to re-heat food right before you serve. This is not the case with pure clay pots, because of far-infrared heat radiation. Even with 4-5 hours after cooking, you do not need to reheat food every time you serve. This saves energy (less for your electric bill!) and the hassle of reheating food repeatedly.

Enjoy the Natural Flavor and Color of Your Food:

MEC’s far-infrared heat cooking keeps delicate phytonutrients and flavonoids intact. These are responsible for food’s natural color and flavor. Food cooks with sufficient oxygen in these semi-porous clay pots and you get to experience the natural flavor and taste of ingredients. The cooked food turns out delicious, without any seasonings. In conventional pots, food loses its natural color and taste, and seasonings is used to improve it.

Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (4)

As Healthy for the Planet as They are for Us:

MEC’s pure clay is 100% biodegradable: it does not pollute the environment where it is disposed of. At the end of its useful lifecycle, it decomposes into the same earth where it comes from, causing no harm to the soil.

On the other hand, disposing of metals is a huge challenge faced by the whole world. They are non-biodegradable, so they pollute the land and subsequently the environment where they are disposed.

Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (5)

All This and More Comes With MEC’s Clay Pot Cooking

If you are someone who enjoys cooking- who knows the goodness of a nutritious meal and the benefits of eating healthy- then it may be time for you to invite the healthiest cooking pot made from natural clay into your kitchen today. They say It is not good to tarry when it is the time to do good, so why wait when you can start giving your body much-needed nutritious and non-toxic food today?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is a clay cooking pot called?

A clay cooking pot is also known as an earthenware pot, earthen cooking pot, or unglazed pottery.

What can I cook in a clay pot?

You can cook all kinds of food in clay pot that you can in a conventional metal pot. You may use a clay pot as a Dutch Oven,,Pressure Cooker,,Yogurt Maker,Vegetable Steamer,Slow Cooker,Bread Baker, and so on.

Does cooking in a clay pot taste better?

Yes, because cooking with a pure clay pot’s far-infrared heat preserves even delicate nutrients. Food retains its natural color and flavor, and your overall dish tastes better.

Is cooking in clay pots safe?

Ideally it is safe to cook in clay pots because pure clay is naturally non-reactive and has no contaminants, provided the pots are made from the purest form of clay and made without using any additives, chemicals, glazes, or enamels.

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Clay Pot Cooking: This Ancient Art & Science is Making a Big Comeback in Modern Kitchens! (2024)

FAQs

What is the importance of clay pot cooking? ›

The porous nature of clay also allows for better absorption of spices and seasonings, infusing dishes with rich, complex flavors. Retention of Moisture and Texture: Clay pots retain moisture, preventing the food from drying out during the cooking process.

What were ancient clay pots used for? ›

The Ancient Greeks made pots from clay. Large pots were used for cooking or storing food and small bowls and cups were made for people to eat and drink from. Pots were also used for decoration, and when people died, they were cremated (burned) and their ashes were buried in pots.

What is the history of clay pot cooking? ›

The earliest known clay pots were crafted by the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerians utilized clay pots for cooking, storage, and even religious ceremonies. These early clay pots were simple, with round bottoms and no handles. They were typically placed on a bed of hot coals or heated stones to cook food.

What was the purpose of making large clay pots? ›

Clay pots were used to cook food and store grains.

Is it healthy to cook food in a clay pot? ›

Clay Pots Are Non-toxic and Safe for Use

Unlike other materials, such as aluminum or Teflon, clay pots do not release any toxins into the food that is cooked in them. Additionally, clay pot cooking allows food to retain more of its nutrients than other methods of cooking.

Is cooking in a clay pot worth it? ›

Clay cookware heats up more slowly and more evenly than metal, and it holds and distributes heat more diffusely. Those qualities are what make it ideal for simmered soups and curries, for braises or tender baked meats where the juices create self-basting steam, and for evenly and perfectly cooked rice or beans.

Why was pottery so important? ›

From Native American pottery to Japanese porcelain, pottery has been used to express cultural identity, religious beliefs, and social status. Historical value: Pottery is a valuable archaeological artifact that provides insight into the history of human societies.

Why do people like clay pots? ›

Because terra cotta is an unglazed ceramic material, its surface is porous. This allows it to absorb and slowly re-release excess water as the soil dries, helping prevent your plant's soil from becoming waterlogged, which encourages root rot and disease.

What are clay pots good for? ›

Lidded clay pots are excellent choices for making any dish that needs to be simmered, stewed, or braised. That includes beans and grains like rice. The clay generally takes longer to fully heat than a metal pot, but once it does, it retains that heat and allows for steady, gentle cooking.

How old is the oldest clay pot? ›

Sherds have been found in China and Japan from a period between 12,000 and perhaps as long as 18,000 years ago. As of 2012, the earliest pottery vessels found anywhere in the world, dating to 20,000 to 19,000 years before the present, was found at Xianrendong Cave in the Jiangxi province of China.

Why is clay pot cool? ›

There are many small pores in an earthen pot. Through these pores, the water kept inside the pot evaporates. It takes the latent heat required for vaporization from the earthen pot and the remaining water in the earthen pot. Hence water loses heat making the water inside the pot cool.

What are the disadvantages of cooking in clay pots? ›

One of the significant disadvantages of cooking in clay pots is that they are fragile. They can easily crack or break, which can be frustrating when preparing a meal. However, with proper care, clay pots can last for many years. Cooking in clay pots can take longer than traditional cooking methods.

What is the science behind clay pots? ›

As the clay dries, water molecules escape from between the clay sheets, so these move closer together (the clay shrinks by 5% or more). The kaolinite hydroxyls become hydrogen bonded to the next layer, forming a stronger, firmer structure ('green ware').

What did Native Americans use clay pots for? ›

Some pottery was used in daily life to make, store, and serve food. Containers were also used during rituals, as gifts for the deceased, and in political events.

Why are clay pots fired? ›

Why do we fire clay anyway? If you make something out of clay and leave it to dry without firing it, it will be fragile and most likely crack. Firing clay changes the structure of the clay, bonding the clay particles together making it stronger, a more permanent ware.

What is the reason for using clay for pot? ›

The clay generally takes longer to fully heat than a metal pot, but once it does, it retains that heat and allows for steady, gentle cooking. And clay has the unique advantage of being a porous material.

What is the advantage of making pots with clay? ›

Uniform cooking:

Clay is a porous material, allows heat and moisture to circulate evenly through the pot during cooking, unlike with metal or stainless steel pots. This superior form of heat circulation helps in cooking vegetables and meat evenly.

What is the significance of clay water pot? ›

Boosts Immunity. Earthen pots have antibacterial properties that help in purifying the water and making it safe to drink. The clay material used in earthen pots has the ability to absorb impurities and toxins from the water, making it safe for consumption.

What are the benefits of cooking in a black clay pot? ›

Cooking in mud utensils like black mud pot are porous in nature which allows even heat circulation throughout the vessel. This helps to cook food evenly and keep it fresh for longer periods of time. Mud pot for cooking is alkaline in nature and thus neutralizes the acidic nature of food.

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